Transport and Storage ISSC communique: March 2025
The Transport and Storage Industry Standing Committee (the Committee) convened on 18 March 2025. Ms Julie Russell, the Chair, welcomed members and guests to the Committee’s fourth meeting.
The Committee had a comprehensive and robust discussion on work health design. Members discussed issues such as manual handling, industry difficulties in using higher order controls due to their complexity and expense, the need for PCBUs to conduct task based risk assessments and concerns regarding the quality of manual handling training.
Following discussions the Committee agreed to undertake practical steps to ensure better work design in the transport and storage sector. Members agreed to work with the Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) to develop two practical transport and storage sector case studies on work health design. Members volunteered to provide possible work sites for the two case studies, and agreed to report back to the Work Health and Safety Board (the Board) regarding the case studies.
Other initiatives discussed by the Committee include better promotion of the Participative Ergonomics for Manual Tasks (PErforM) program and an investigation into the use of longitudinal software (i.e. software that monitors worker movement over the course of a shift that is then analysed by a physiotherapist who performs a risk assessment to identify high risk activities).
Members considered psychosocial hazards, and agreed to develop a draft case study on shift work isolation and rostering practices. The case study will be used to direct Member discussion at the June 2025 Committee meeting where psychosocial hazards will be a key focus for the Committee.
Members raised concerns regarding delays in safety prosecution processes. Members noted a particular case where a prolonged delay has caused the matter to continue for a period of over 12 months. The particular case related to an issue raised by a health and safety representative (HSR).
The Committee noted items referred by the Board including member sharing of OIR campaigns to support an increased reach of safety messaging, and identification of sector relevant case studies that could be developed and provided for HSR training. Members discussed the quality of HSR training noting that issues such as consultation are often not properly demonstrated. Members noted that HSR may require ongoing support for processes such as the issuing of a Provisional Improvement Notice and engaging with inspectors.
Members noted the design of the HSR training course is a significant issue. Members agreed that it is a difficult and daunting task to be a HSR and that HSR training must be industry specific. Members observed a lack of flexibility with HSR training, questioning whether the training had to be five days of back to back training. Members concluded that a broader look at HSR training is required, and industry specific case studies would not by themselves improve the training.
Members confirmed they are assisting the broadcast of OIR’s campaign messages where the campaign is relevant to their industry and membership, while also observing an improvement in OIR’s messaging.
Members considered reports by OIR including:
- Policy and legislative updates
- Heat stress initiatives update
- Strategic Communications update
- Injury Prevention and Management Program (IPaM) Services Paper.
Members expressed their appreciation for the proof-of-concept data dashboard report for the transport and storage industry developed by OIR.
Members recommended that OIR promote the IPaM Program to industry via industry updates. The Committee agreed to assist OIR promote the IPaM Program.
The next Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 10 June 2025.
ISSC secretariat | Email: oirboardsandcommittees@oir.qld.gov.au